Boarding Up Your Windows Before a Storm The act of boarding up windows helps reduce the damage to property caused by natural disasters as well as vandalism. It also helps protect the residents of the home from shattered glass. To begin, use a tape measure to determine the height and width of the frame's edges. Be sure to write down the measurements. Opt for corrosion-resistant screws that are able to penetrate into the framing. Pre-storm preparation If you live in a hurricane-prone area, board your windows to safeguard yourself from damage. It is crucial to secure your home before a storm begins. This gives you time to organize and gather the items you require. If you begin the process after an alert is issued, you could have your home nearly completely covered before the warning is issued. Start by getting the window frame ready. Clean the area and get rid of all debris that could blow around in a storm, and possibly damage your house. It is important to move the items in your yard which could easily be destroyed by strong winds, like lawn furniture, bikes, and propane tanks. Then, measure the width and height of each window opening and determine the amount of plywood needed. Mark the height and width by aligning the inside edges of the window frame with the trim on the outside. If the window is a double-hung or inoperable bay window that has a full-sill, add eight inches to the height and width to allow for a four-inch overhang on each side. Purchase plywood that is at a minimum of 5/8-inch thick and free of knots. This type of plywood is inexpensive and readily available. It also has 30% more impact strength than oriented strand board (OSB). It must be of exterior grade and ideally, CDX, which means it is water-resistant. Install the stainless steel hanger bolts at 16-inch intervals inside the window frame, and then drill holes to match the plywood panels. This will let you quickly install the plywood in the event of a storm, and it can help you save time during installation. You can also number each piece, and mark it with a arrow to easily identify the window or door that it will cover. After each window is completely covered and a duct tape is used to secure the edges of the plywood to keep it in position. Make use of an adhesive that is strong instead of duct tape to prevent moisture from entering the plywood. Post-storm recovery The idea of boarding up windows is a great way to ensure your home is protected until repairs are finished, whether it was a natural catastrophe that hit your home or vandalism. It also helps prevent further damage, and deter criminal actions. Boarding is a fast, cost-effective and efficient process. It's a great option for homeowners experiencing a severe storm. Before you start boarding up your windows, take the time to take measurements of each window's height and width. This will help you find the appropriate size plywood sheets to use. You should also remove the windows that were in use and clean up any broken glass. It is recommended to use 5/8-inch thick plywood when the boarding of windows. This type of plywood is more durable than OSB. (OSB). In the ideal scenario, you should buy exterior grade boards. They are more expensive but offer better protection against weather damage. Once you've collected all the necessary materials then the boarding process is ready to begin. It's usually a two-person task and you can you can ask for help from friends or family members when needed. You could also employ an expert to assist you with the job. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/manchester-emergency-boarding-up-near-me/ is especially helpful for homeowners with big homes or limited mobility. Once you've measured each window opening, cut the plywood sheets to the proper size with a saw. Make sure you use a top quality tool to make sure that the cuts are precise and straight. Before putting in the plywood, you should drill pilot holes into the wall framing and plywood. This will stop the wood from splitting. Position the plywood sheet over each of the windows and then place it in the middle. To ensure that it fits, make sure the plywood sheet extends over all window frames on all sides. Drill pilot holes into the plywood and the framing at 16 inches. This will ensure that the screws won't penetrate too deeply into the plywood, which could weaken it. Place a metal washer on top of each screw. This will prevent the screw from sinking into the plywood too deeply and damaging it. Use screws that are long and wide enough to reach each window sill. This will help keep the plywood in position in the event of a storm, and will prevent water leakage. Break-ins The first step to take after an incident is to secure up the affected windows and doors. This blocks any unauthorized access to the property as well as protects the contents of the business or home from further damage. It also signals criminals that your premises are vacant and may even discourage them from committing further crimes. If you're currently getting ready for a vacant house to sell, boarded up windows help preserve it for potential buyers. It's possible that boarding all windows not be the best idea because it sends a message to criminals about your desperate need for money or property. A prospective buyer may also find it difficult to imagine their life in a home that is covered with plywood. Another way to keep your home safe is to put security bars on the exterior of your window frames. While they're a great deterrent, they are frequently dislodged by debris and can still be broken with objects thrown against them. Installing polycarbonate security glass is an effective solution to burglaries. Polycarbonate is 250 times more durable than glass and is designed to bend under force and therefore, criminals aren't able smash it into the frame. In addition to blocking burglaries, boarding windows and doors can safeguard your building from further damage by the elements. Snow, hail, and rain can flood your home's interior and cause damage to furniture and fixtures. Making sure that doors and windows are boarded up will also decrease the chance of injury to patrons or employees who may be injured by falling glass. Contact Valor Taskers if you need assistance in boarding up your home or business after a burglary. Our highly skilled Taskers are equipped with the tools and materials needed to secure your damaged property as quickly as possible. They can also complete any other repair or cleaning tasks you may need to do after an incident. Damage caused by weather Severe weather conditions can cause serious damage to buildings and businesses. Natural disasters, such as storms or tornadoes can create havoc in communities across the country. If your home was damaged by a major storm or another natural disaster, investing in emergency boarding is the most effective option to safeguard it and prevent further damage. Window boarding is a solution in my area that utilizes plywood boards to secure broken windows and doors. This reduces further damage. The cost of this service is contingent on the size and quantity of windows that are covered, and the location of your home. The cost of the board materials also play a role in the final price of the project. Window Boarding Up Window Boarding Up: Benefits and Uses Emergency boarding is essential in securing your property following a disaster or deterring criminal activity. It keeps intruders away and stops further damage to property until repairs can be done. Additionally, boarding helps to ensure that insurance coverage remains valid. Many insurance companies require that buildings be secured immediately after an incident to ensure insurance coverage. A professionally installed tarp and boarding service is a great way to safeguard assets and personal belongings for businesses. This is crucial because things that are exposed to the elements may deteriorate and even become an fire hazard. The boardering up of valuables ensures their safety until they can be repaired or replaced. A tarp and boarding could also help stabilize a structure that is unstable, making it more safe for inspectors and contractors who are working on repairs. The boards help to prevent further damage to the building and also reduce the chance of injury to residents and passersby. The windows that are boarded up are a safety precaution, as broken glass poses a serious risk to pets and children.